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Sunday, August 4, 2013

Online Garden Resources

Well, hidey-ho, there, good neighbors! (Anyone remember Wilson, the faceless neighbor from Home Improvement? Just me? Oh, ok...) I'm keeping a running list of garden resources, from blogs to online nurseries. If I've ordered from a nursery, I'll note that and add a brief review. If not, I'll note that too!

Blogs:

A Garden for the House - Let's just say I'm completely jealous of Kevin Lee Jacobs' stunning garden - and acreage, though it sounds like it's been a labor of love, since part of his garden used to be a parking lot! Lots of great tips, and lots of garden eye candy.

Tending My Garden - Theresa has been gardening in Virginia for over 35 years. She grows organically, and with minimal-to-no extra watering! I believe Virginia grows most of her own food, which is just awesome. She's a big proponent of soil health, and it's a fascinating read.

Nurseries:

Garden Harvest Supply - I've ordered from GHS multiple times. The first time I ordered, I ordered a Black Velvet petunia. They'd run out and shipping a Phantom petunia in its stead. When I emailed them asking about it, they offered to send me a free plant for my trouble. Now that's good customer service! I ordered a golden cherry tomato, and although it got off to a slow start - thanks to chipmunk thieves - I ended up harvesting cherry tomatoes into October of last year. I also have ordered sweet potato vines from them. They started out looking sort of small and sad, but in no time, they were ready to take over the world. Just how I like my sweet potato vines! They definitely grew better than the sweet potato vines I got from Lowe's this year, and equal to those I got from my favorite local nursery (whose plants are the best I've bought). Great selection of petunias, and they appear to have a good selection of mums - if you can get them before they've sold out. :( I have yet to be able to purchase any mums from them, much to my extreme disappointment. Their prices are generally quite reasonable. They carry mostly live plants, though they do have a few seeds.

Marguerite sweet potato vine from GHS. This one started out in a 3" pot.

Pinstripe petunia from GHS.

Phantom petunia from GHS

Sweet potato vine, ornamental peppers and coleus from GHS.

Pinetree Garden Seeds - I've ordered seeds from Pinetree for the first time this year. I have yet to plant them, but I will say their shipping was prompt and although their website's search function is a little painful (really? I can't just hit enter to search after I've typed my search term? But I'm lazy....), the website is easy to navigate and they have a great selection of lettuces, ornamental kales/cabbages and herbs - particularly any variety of basil you could imagine! Decent prices, as well. And I have a thing for basil. I'll update with how things have germinated once I plant my fall crops. Largely seeds, rather than plants.

Johnny's Selected Seeds - Seeds, not plants, as you might guess. Have not yet ordered from them, but I plan to. Veggies, fruits, flowers, herbs.

3 comments:

I ordered a ton from Bluestone when we were in the old Maynard house - they're pretty fantastic! And good about warning you about what plants may not look like they're doing well in the first year but will come well into their own the second :)

My neighbors really liked White FLower Farm, but I never tried them myself!

Good to know Bluestone's good! I'll let you know if I order from them and how it goes. Will also have to check out White Flower Farm. I also can't wait for you to be able to garden at the new house!! Please let me know if you need/want any help... or praying mantises. ;)